Research Guides

Evaluating Web Resources

Information is everywhere on the Internet, existing in large quantities and continuously being created and revised. But not all of it is equally accurate or reliable. There is also no easy checklist to consult to see if a Web page is credible. The first stage of evaluating your sources is to ask yourself what exactly you are looking for. If, for example, you are writing a research paper, and if you are looking for both facts and well-argued opinions to support or challenge a position, you'll need to evaluate and cite the source carefully. Different criteria are useful depending on the purpose of the Web page. The following criteria are most appropriate for informational Web pages:

• Scope. What is the breadth of the article or book? Is it a general work that provides an overview of the topic or is it specifically focused on only one aspect of your topic? Does the breadth of the work match your own expectations?

• Authority. Is it an authoritative source, a source that supplies some good evidence that allows you to trust it? Is the author of the page clearly identified? What are his or her credentials for writing on this topic? Is the author affiliated with an organization? What is the reputation of that organization?

• Accuracy. Is the page part of an edited or peer-reviewed publication? Does the content of the page convey the amount, depth, and significance of the evidence being presented? Are the arguments persuasive? Can factual information be verified through footnotes or bibliographies to other credible sources?

• Fairness and Objectivity. Is the page or the article offers a balanced, reasoned argument, not selected or slanted. A good information source usually possesses a calm, reasoned tone, arguing or presenting material thoughtfully and without attempting to get you emotionally worked up. Is the website sponsored by a company or organization that advocates a certain philosophy? Does the page display a particular bias or perspective? Is it clear and forthcoming about its view of the subject? Does it use inflammatory or provocative language?

Resources for Further Study

• Smith, Alastair. (2002). World Wide Web Virtual Library: Evaluation of Information Sources. [Online]. Available: http://www.vuw.ac.nz/~agsmith/evaln/evaln.htm. [2003, April 8, 2003].

• Barker, Joe. (2008) Evaluating Web Pages: Techniques to Apply & Questions to Ask. [Online]. Available: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Evaluate.html. [2008].

• Beck, Susan. (1997). "Evaluation Criteria." The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: or, Why It's a Good Idea to Evaluate Web Sources. [Online]. Available: http://lib.nmsu.edu/instruction/evalcrit.html. [2008].

• Harris, Robert. (1997). Evaluating Internet Research Sources. [Online]. Available:http://www.virtualsalt.com/evalu8it.htm. [2007].

• Kirk, Elizabeth E. (1996). Evaluating Information Found on the Internet. [Online]. Available:www.library.jhu.edu/researchhelp/general/evaluating. [2003, April 8].

Essay Writing Guidelines: Selected Web Resources

• Purdue University. Online Writing Lab. (2003). Handouts on Writing. [Online]. Available:http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/index2.html. [2004].

• University of St. Thomas. (2008).Writing a Literature Review. [Online]. Available:http://www.stthomas.edu/libraries/guides/education/writinglitreviews.html [2008].

• University of Toronto. (2008). Advice on Academic Writing. [Online]. Available:http://www.utoronto.ca/writing/advise.html. [2003, April 8].

• University of Victoria, Dept. of English. (1995). The UVic Writer's Guide: The Essay. [Online]. Available: http://web.uvic.ca/wguide/Pages/EssaysToc.html. [2003, April 8].

• University of Wisconsin-Madison Writing Center. (2006) Writer�s Handbook: Academic Writing. [Online]. Available: http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook

Citation Style Guides

There are many different ways to cite your sources when writing a research paper. Ask your instructors which style they want you to use. If they have no preference, you can use any of the following styles. Keep in mind that whatever style you choose stick to it consistently.

MLA (Modern Language Association)

Commonly used to cite research done in the humanities, such as literature, language, philosophy, or religion.

Selected Resources:

• MLA Style Guide (from the OWL at Purdue)

• MLA in Text-Citation (Research and Documentation Online)

• Citing Sources from the World Wide Web (MLA website)

• Sample MLA Paper (from Research and Documentation Online)

APA Style (American Psychological Association)

Used for documenting sources in most social sciences, including psychology and education.

Selected Resources:

• APA Style: The Social Sciences (Research and Documentation Online)

• APA Style: Electronic References (APA website)

• Sample APA Paper (from Research and Documentation Online)

AMA Style (American Medical Association)

• AMA Citation Guide (Jefferson University)

• AMA Citation Guide (University of Central Florida)

Turabian Style Guide

Designed for college students to use with all subjects. Based upon Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 6th ed., 1996. (A copy is available at the reference shelf. Call no. REF LB2369.T8 1996)

• Turabian Citation Guide (Ohio State University Libraries

Selected Internet Citation Guides

• Citing Electronic Sources (from the Library of Congress. This site includes different styles.)

• Columbia Guide to Online Style (by English professors Janice R. Walker and Todd Taylor.)